Sakura Fountain Pen and Matching Vahse

[John Hart]

Ok...This is a bunch of Firsts.
First time I've turned Sakura (From Stu of course)
First time I've made a Fountain Pen.
First time I've made a matching Vahse from the same blank.

Lots of fun this morning. I haven't been in the shop for a couple of weeks and it feels good to be spinnin' again. Stu's Sakura really caught my eye with all the figure so I've been microwaving for the past two days to get it ready.
Very burly stuff...reminded me of Amboyna burl.
Both pieces are finished in the not-so-secret finish, then spray lacquer. I left the vahse glossy but put some 0000 steel wool to the pen and then buffed it.

Thanks Stu!!! This pen is MINE!

[Lee DeRaud]

Unless that pen is a lot bigger than it looks, that's not a Vahse, it's a Vahse.

Very nice, though. "Size matters not." - Yoda

[Bob Noles]

WOW John.....

I love that fountain pen and it is close to the top of my list of "next project to turn" items. Wife has been after me to do one for her for her calligraphy. Waiting to find just the right one and just the right blank. Looks like you struck an excellent combo with Stu on that one.

NICE job on both projects buddy.

[Corey Hallagan]

Awesome on both accounts Mr. Hart! Fantasic mini turning and a beautiful FP. How did long did you need to microwave it to dry it?

Corey

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

The wood is beautiful and the VAHSE would have been a TOP Contender for the ITTY BITTY contest.

Stu is lucky to have that available to him.

Bruce

[Chuck Beland]

John,
That wood you got from Stu is gorgeous I love the grain & the color.

[Jim Ketron]

Beautiful Pen John! Nice Mini to go with it also

[Bernie Weishapl]

John they are both beautiful. Great job on them both. I really like the pen.

[Pete Jordan]

John,

You did a wonderful job on this wood! It is such a pretty color. I hope to learn how to do pens this summer. Thanks for sharin.


Pete

[John Hart]

Thanks guys! I'm a little surprised by the weight of the pen....but I do like the way it writes.

Corey...I started nuking Thursday and I really didn't follow a strict regimine. I just stuck some blanks in the microwave for 30 seconds on high and then pulled them out to cool. Cooling took 30-40 minutes but sometimes I waited several hours because I was doing other stuff.

Anyway...if you follow the 30 seconds - then cool...and do that about 25 times, they'll be ready. If you go any faster, they'll crack. Takes about 2 days.

[Dale Thompson]

John,
Why did you have to post these pictures so SOON? Now I will be embarrassed to show anything that I make for at least a year or more!


Even taking into account that you are a Moderator, you certainly do incredible work. Thank you for sharing!!

Dale T.

[Barry Stratton]

Excellent job John!!!! What a nice pen and mini vahse. I'm gonna have to try that microwave thing.

Made my first antler pen (moose antler) and roughed out a cedar bowl, but the digital camera is broke so no pics until I get another one

Thanks again for your part in Stu's bomblet drops!

[Ernie Nyvall]

That is some purdy wood. Nice job on it John. What kit is that?

Ernie

[John Hart]

That is some purdy wood. Nice job on it John. What kit is that?

Ernie

Oh...I forgot. That's the Rhodium Emperor from Craft Supplies. $35 I think. The kit was a gift from my BIL and I had it stashed away for a special day.

Thanks again everyone.

[Rich Stewart]

Hmmm. The sakura I got is much lighter than that. Did you put anything else on it to darken the wood? I cut my piece into four pieces and made one pen with no drying. I just couldn't turn that much of a blank into sawdust. I'll see if it splits but it seems ok so far.